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Journal of Public Health Advance Access originally published online on December 3, 2008
Journal of Public Health 2009 31(1):119-126; doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdn102
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© The Author 2008, Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved

Perceptions of heatwave risks to health: interview-based study of older people in London and Norwich, UK



Vanessa Abrahamson, Research Assistant1

Johanna Wolf, Senior Research Associate2

Irene Lorenzoni, Lecturer2

Bridget Fenn, Lecturer3

Sari Kovats, Lecturer3

Paul Wilkinson, Reader in Environmental Epidemiology3

W. Neil Adger, Professor of Environmental Economics2

Rosalind Raine, Professor of Health Services Research1
1 Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK
2 Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
3 Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK

Address correspondence to Vanessa Abrahamson, E-mail: v.abrahamson{at}ucl.ac.uk


  Abstract

Background Most projections of climate change suggest an increased frequency of heatwaves in England over coming decades; older people are at particular risk. This could result in substantial mortality and morbidity.

Objective To determine elderly people's knowledge and perceptions of heat-related risks to health, and of protective behaviours.

Methods Semi-structured interviews: 73 men and women, 72–94 years, living in their own homes in London and Norwich, UK.

Results Few respondents considered themselves either old or at risk from the effects of heat, even though many had some form of relevant chronic illness; they did recognize that some medical conditions might increase risks in others. Most reported that they had taken appropriate steps to reduce the effects of heat. Some respondents considered it appropriate for the government to take responsibility for protecting vulnerable people, but many thought state intervention was unnecessary, intrusive and unlikely to be effective. Respondents were more positive about the value of appropriately disseminated advice and solutions by communities themselves.

Conclusion The Heatwave Plan should consider giving greater emphasis to a population-based information strategy, using innovative information dissemination methods to increase awareness of vulnerability to heat among the elderly and to ensure clarity about behaviour modification measures.

Keywords: health protection, health risks, heatwaves, knowledge, perceptions


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